A further 14 regional NSW councils are set to receive upfront natural disaster recovery payments through new funding arrangements provided by the Minns Labor Government.

They join 19 other regional councils that have already signed Tripartite Agreements with Transport for NSW and the NSW Reconstruction Authority that will provide accelerated funding to enable repairs to roads and transport infrastructure damaged by natural disasters.

Before the Tripartite Agreements were introduced, councils had to spend their own money to undertake the repairs and then claim the costs back through the Australian and NSW Governments Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. In many local government areas, this placed a heavy strain on council finances.

Once councils have signed up to the Tripartite Agreements they can access advance funding at the start of each stage of reconstruction work.

The Tripartite Agreements mean less financial pressure on councils, faster repairs for communities after natural disasters and better collaboration between state and local government agencies.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said, “We have all seen the damage natural disasters can bring, and we also know they are a destructive fact of life.

“We need to be prepared before these events and have systems in place to get communities functioning again as quickly as possible when the danger has passed.

“That is where these Tripartite Agreements can play such an important role in getting disaster recovery payments to councils quickly and efficiently.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said, “The Minns Labor Government is working closely with local councils to support them in their disaster response and recovery.

“The feedback we have had from councils who have already signed up to these agreements has been positive and we look forward to building on this success so we can help communities rebuild faster after natural disasters.”

NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said, “Following a natural disaster, road infrastructure is one of the things most affected and needing to be repaired quickly so communities can reconnect, and goods and services can start moving again.

“Prior to the terrible natural disasters in 2022, only $190 million a year was allocated for disaster recovery for roads.

“Under these new agreements, we have already seen more than $304 million in fast-tracked funding roll out to repair roads and transport infrastructure damaged in natural disasters.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin said, “This is a great example of the NSW Government working with local communities to get them back on their feet quickly after a disaster.

“In the past councils might have had to wait months, sometimes years, before being reimbursed for the cost of disaster-related repairs. Councils that have signed up to the Tripartite Agreements can now get it without delay.

“Clearing financial and some of the administrative hurdles will make an enormous difference and I am pleased to be part of a government that has listened to the needs of communities and acted.”